SALEM, Oregon--This year's Spirit Of '45 Day hosts World War II Oregonians—Battlefield to Homefront – at the Oregon State Capitol, Willson Park, in Salem, Ore., on Sunday, Aug 12, 11 a.m. to noon.
The public is invited to join us to keep the Spirit of '45 Alive and to salute the 16.1 million Americans who served and saved our country from 1941-1945, and nearly 500,000 who made the ultimate sacrifice. Oregon’s own 234th Army Band, with the Oregon National Guard, and guests will honor, be grateful for and remember the incredible contributions of the WWII generation on this congressionally-endorsed and state-legislated Spirit of '45 Day, held on the 2nd Sunday of every August.
Life-size WWII hero posters and 30ft banners will surround the memorial site to remind and be inspired by the brave and courageous WWII generation. This event marks the 75th Anniversary of Eisenhower’s Command.
In partnership with the Association of the US Army, the Oregon Spirit of ’45 will recognize the 4,000 names inscribed on the black granite wall; those who made the ultimate sacrifice. This ceremony will also feature our newly planted living memorial, Rosie the Riveter rose garden, which frames the 33ft obelisk site.
The battlefield address will be delivered by Brigadier General William Prendergast who serves as the Land Component Commander for the Oregon Army National Guard. Brig. Gen. Prendergast commanded the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team and has received numerous awards including the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal.
The homefront address will be presented by ‘Rosie the Riveter’ Rita Harris Hathaway, a lifetime Oregonian and honors graduate from Oregon State University. As the daughter of a WWI veteran and wife of a WWII Army Air Corps crew member, Rita represents the 19 million women who served at home to help win the war and dynamically change the workforce of America.
U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley will be represented to honor this WWII congressionally-endorsed day. The ceremony will include presentation of the colors, patriotic music, traditional military honors with TAPS to recognize the contributions made by the “Greatest Generation”. The ceremony will be held in the NW corner of the Oregon State Capitol at the Oregon WWII Memorial; all military branches will be honored.
HELP US BUILD THE WWII WALL OF HONOR. We enlist all families, friends and communities to submit their WWII Veteran's military photo to our website and add to the wall of men and women 'heroes' of the WWII generation; all service branches from any state welcome. Your hero's service branch, hometown and other optional data can be uploaded to www.orspiritof45.org.
In 2020, during the WWII 75th Anniversary Spirit of '45 Commemorative Week of Aug 9-15, the nation plans to honor the achievements and virtues of men and women of this incredible generation with a Wall of Honor at the Washington D.C. World War II Memorial.
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The Oregon Spirit of '45, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to commemorating the achievements and virtues of the World War II generation, on the 2nd Sunday of every August, so as to inspire future generations.
KEEP THE SPIRIT OF '45 ALIVE! is a non-profit, non-partisan initiative to preserve the legacy of the men and women of the Greatest Generation so that their example of courage, self-sacrifice, "can-do" attitude and commitment to community can help inspire a renewal of national unity in America at a time when our country once again must come together to meet historic challenges. Its goal is to establish an annual day of remembrance and national renewal to remind America of the values and accomplishments of the generation who endured the hard times of the Great Depression, fought to defeat the greatest tyranny in history, and then went on to rebuild their shattered world in an unprecedented effort to help assure a better future for both friend and former foe alike.